After nearly four years of a divided relationship, President Museveni and his Rwandan counterpart Paul Kagame celebrated the birthday of first son, Lt. Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba together.
Following close to four years of a divided relationship, President Museveni and his counterpart Paul Kagame of Rwanda came together in unity to celebrate the birthday of the former’s son Lt. Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba.
Kainerugaba was on April 23rd celebrating his 48th stay on earth. In separate celebrations held at the State House in Entebbe on Sunday, Museveni hosted the Rwandan president for a dinner in honour of his son.
Speaking about the visit, Museveni congratulated President Kagame for accepting to honor the invitation after many years of not visiting Uganda like he was before.
“I hosted H.E President Paul Kagame for a dinner in honour of Lt Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba. I want to thank H.E Kagame for responding positively to Lt Gen Muhoozi’s invitation and coming to pay a visit to Uganda after years of not coming here,” Museveni said.
For years the relationship between the two heads of state has been parrallel with the Rwanda going an extra mile in 2019 to even close its Gatuna/Katuna border crossing to Uganda and vice versa.
Responding to the closure some time in 2020, President Kagame accused Uganda of harbouring persons who posed security threats to his nation, Rwanda.
Partly he also indicated Rwandan nationals in Uganda were being mistreated and harassed although these allegations were denied by the Ugandan government.
The border was however, reopened earlier this year after the intervention of the commander of land forces Muhoozi who held peace talks on Uganda’s behalf with Mr. Kagame.
Speaking about the recent misunderstandings between the two nations, Museveni said part of the birthday celebrations, he also held discussions with Mr. Kagame about regional differences.
“I also held bilateral talks with H.E President Paul Kagame on a number of issues, especially on regional peace, stability and cooperation,” Museveni said adding that President Kagame and his first son have for long been close friends.
Meanwhile, in his speech, Kagame said despite the border closure, he has always known that the disagreements with Uganda are temporary.
“We are having difficulties between our countries but I was always convinced these were going to be temporary. The ties that bind us are deep,” Kagame said disclosing that Gen Muhoozi’s meeting with him also made a great impact.
“If bringing Uganda and Rwanda together needed you (Muhoozi) to be in the midst of it, then thanks be God,” Kagame mentioned that the first son went through a number of his friends to reach him but when he did, he (Kagame) knew that whatever message he (Muhoozi) had brought before him was not from him but rather sent.
“Muhoozi went through friends, got my telephone number, sent me a message and we talked. I accepted. He then asked, can I visit you, I said come,” Kagame revealed during the State dinner to celebrate Muhoozi’s 48th birthday.
“I was absolutely aware and convinced that even in my strongest belief in Muhoozi, the President of Uganda (his father) definitely must have been behind the message. I was not under any illusion that it was Muhoozi operating on his own,” he said.
